Preserving the beauty and health of gardens and flower beds is much easier if one knows how to apply mulch. It’s an easy and inexpensive venture that any homeowner would enjoy engaging in. Mulching not only aids in jazzing up the yard; it likewise helps in moderating soil temperature, retaining soil moisture, and suppressing weed growth. Here then are some advice for those planning to mulch their flowerbeds.

Firstly, decide on whether you prefer organic or inorganic mulch, as each has its own advantages and best conditions for use. An organic mulch is made up of shredded wood products that can vary in quality and consistency. You can opt for leaf compost, pine needles, or grass clipping for mulch. These break down over time and gives nutrients that enrich the soil. Apply organic mulches at least once a year.

On the other hand, an inorganic mulch is comprised of recycled rubber and stone products. Stones and rubber come in great variety and reduced problems with insects in and around the flower beds. But make sure to choose plants that are better adapted to this, and let the mulch surround them; don’t put the mulch directly on the plants. These mulches are likewise applied annually.

Both types of mulches should be applied 2 to 4 inches thick. If the mulch is too thinly applied, it won’t properly retain moisture nor suppress weed growth. Mulch tends to settle over time as it decomposes, so apply another inch more as a final thickness. Finally, it’s best to apply mulch in the early spring, just as your perennial flowers are beginning to grow.

Brendan Wetzel is a dean’s list philosophy student at Rider University. He was a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship, Leadership Scholarship, and the Guy Stroh Philosophy Scholarship. He is President of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society of Philosophy. For more on Brendan’s interests, click here.